Acetylene-gas generator



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D. J. REYNOLDS. AGETYLBNE GAS'G'ENBRATOR, y

No. 576,893. Patented Peb. 9, 1897.

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UNITED STATES J. REYNOLDS, Ol VINNBAGO "PATENT OFFICE.

CITY, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR ATO THE rINKLER-REYNOLDS COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AC ETYLEN E-GA-S G ENE RATO srnorrrcn'rronfofming part of Letters patent No. .576,893,01ated February 9, 189'?. pplioation filed October 7, 1896, Serial No. 608,124. (No model.)

T all whom 11pm/y concern.-

Beit known that I, DELBERT J. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Win'- nebago .C ity, county of Faribault, and State of 'SlVIinneSOtaLhaVe invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators,'whicl1 are fully set forth in the followingspecification, reference being had to the accompanying` drawings, forming a part thereof. Y The purpose of this` invention is to render more certain, safe, 'and reliable the Operation 'of generators for acetylene gas and the receiver in which the saine is stored and from which it is supplied for consumption. Y

It Consists, rst, in improved means of feeding measured charges of water to the generator at suitable intervals; second, in imy proved means for flooding the generator with- `2o water when one of the elements from which the gas is generated therein is about exhausted; third, in the combination of two receivers or gas-holders, the first of which receives the gas from. the generation-@while the second receives it from the first and delivers it to the service system and has devices adapting it to be expanded beyond its ordinary condition 'to accommodate an overiiow or excessive supply of gas, and also to permit the first receiver to expand under less than the Ordinar-yoperating gas-pressure, in order that it may operate when the generating material is nearly exhausted and generates gas slowly.

It consists, further, in details of construction which are specified in the claims. In the drawings,r Figure l is a vertical secj tion axial with respect to both the gas-holders of my improved device, but showing in velevation the parts interior to said gas-holders. Fig. 2 is asection at the plane indicated by the line 2 2 on Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a primary holder, showing a dierent position of the parts from Fig. l.

The gas-,holder A comprises the customary pair of cylinders,the upper one inverted into the lower one, the latter being made to contain water to afford a water seal and for other Mounted upon the outer side of the lower or fixed cylinder is the generator, o which comprises the outer box B, interior receptacle B for the material from which the utheinverted cover. .fords communication between the upper porgas is to be generated, and cover B2, inverted overthe receptacle and within the box, the latter containing sufficient water to make an Y effective water seal around the lower end of A U-shaped pipe D aftion of the generatorand the upper portion of the gas-holder, said pipe extending down throingh the bottom of the generator and up 6o through the bottom of the gas-holder and standing open above the water in the latter.

.This pipe is designed to permit the gas to pass from the generator to the gas-holder. There .is a second communication between the generator'and the gas-holder consisting of the pipe O, which extends up through the bottom of the 'gas-holder to any convenient point in 4the water, where it is provided with an inletcock O" below the normal water-level, whose 7o valve-stem has a lever-arm O10, carrying a float C11, which is checked by the chain C11 at the position at which the valve is closed, and

at such position said fioat does not protrude 'above the surface of the water at low-water 75 level. The valve is thus held closed by the fio-at and is opened when the float is depressed. Erom the bottom of the gas-holder this pipe C extends horizontally across and up into the generator, being provided with 8o a discharge-nozzle or nozzle end adapted to discharge into the receptacle B, the lower edge of the discharge-mouth being at the lowfwater level of the gas-holder.

Projecting down from the upper section or dome of the holder vA is aconical displacer E, the apex of which overhangs the float O11 and encounters said oat as the dome descends. This displacer is preferably made hollow upwardly and exteriorly open and adapted to 9o contain sand or like material for weighting the dome to any desired pressure, and the conical form is adopted so that the buoyant effect upon the dome of the intrusion of the displacer into the Water shall be counterbalanced by the diminution of the gas area over which the pressure thus diminished is operative, according to a familiar principle, the area of the cross-seotion of the displacer at the water-level being the amount by which roo the gas area is diminished on account of the intrusion of the displacer into the water,

while the weight of a volume of water equal to the intruded portion of the displacer is the amount by which thc aggregate pressure is diminished. As the dome descends and the conical displacer forces the float C11 downward and opens the valve C water is admitted to the pipe C, and the amount of water displaced by the intrusion of the conical displacer into the water raising the level passes over through the pipe C into the generator, the normal or low-water level of the gasholder being the level of the lower edge of the discharge-mouth of the pipe C in the generator, so that without regard to the opening of the valve C no water passes except as the water-level is raised in the holder. In operation, the dome descending as the consumption exceeds the supply, a slight intrusion of the displacer into the water, causing a small quantity of water to pass over into the generator, will cause gas to be generated after a brief interval, raising the rate of supply beyondv the rate of consumption and causing the dome to rise, withdrawing the displacer from the Water and lowering the level and stopping the overflow into the generator. In practice the dome will thus fluctuate with the point of the displacer slightly intruded into the Water, the change of level being usually not more than one or two inches, unless the rate of consumption is suddenly and widely changed, as by lighting a large number of burners or turning out a large number sim ultaneously. In such case the change may be wider. When the energy of one of the gasgenerating elements in the generator is exhausted or nearly exhausted, so that the charge of water forced thereinto produces no response in the generation of gas or no sufficient response to maintain a supply and pre-.

vent the dome from farther descending, such farther descent will intrude the displacer farther and more rapidly into the water, throwing over a large quantity into the generator and flooding the saine, driving out all the gas therein and leaving itin condition to be safely opened, cleaned, and charged.

If there is no continuing supply of water to the holder, it will be manifest that the level will be permanently lowered by each displacement and that each descent of the dis,- placer must be a little lower than the preceding in order to raise the water-level to the point of overflow into the generator. In such case the total amount of water thrown over into the generator will be only equal to the volume of the maximum intrusion of the displacer below the overflow-level. This would necessitate supplyin g water to the gas-holder equal in quantity to the capacity of the generator each time the generator is recharged, and it would also necessitate a relatively large displacer. These disadvantages are avoided by providing means for restoring the water in the gas-holder to the low-water level when the displacer is not intruded-that is, after each instance of intrusion and during the withdrawal of the displacer. Such a device I have shown consisting of a stand-pipe P, outside the gas-holder A, having a water-supply connection P', controlled by a valve P10 and connected by a pipe P2 with the interior of the gas-holdera checlevalve P3, and preferably, also, a shut-off valve P4, being interposed between said stand-pipe and gasholder. Within the stand-pipe P is au overflow-pipe Q, emerging at the bottom, preferably over a catch 'basin or cup R, leading to the drainage system. The top of the overflow-pipe Q is open within the stand-pipe P at the level of the Water constituting the water seal between the two cylinders of the gasholder-that is, at a level adapted to balance the water within the holder subject to the gas-pressure therein when said water stands at the low-water level. rlhe gas-holder may be charged with Water either by pouring in at the top of the stand-pipe, which maybe provided with a funnel-mouth, as shown, or by admitting water past a valve P from any continuous source of supply. From whichever source admitted the water will pass through the pipe P2 into the gas-holder, the valve P4 being open and the valve P3 being adapted to permit the water to pass in that direction, but not to return, and will rise in the gas-holder until it commences to overflow through the pipe Q-that is to say, will rise to the predetermined low-water level in4 the."

gas-holder. To prevent even momentary raising of the level in the gas-holder above this predetermined point, the valve P4 may be set so that the water admitted4 or poured into the stand-pipe can pass out through the overflow-pipe Q very rapidly relatively to the speed at which it can pass the valve P4; In order to maintain a constant resupply to make good the displacement of water for thc generator, the valve P10 may be set slightly open, so as to admit only about the quantity of water needed to thus maintain the waterlevel of the gas-holder, any slight excess, however, passing out through the overiiow-pipe Q, and the attendant, by observing the rate. at which the water drips from the end ofthe overflow-pipe, can easily regulate the supply past the valve P10 quite accurately, as required. By this means the supply can never raise the level in the gas-holder above the predetermined low-wate1level-,that is, the level at which it flows over into the generator, but the presence of the check-valve P3, preventing the water from passing back from the gasholder toward the stand-pipe and thence into the overiiow Q, permits the raising of the water-level by the displacement above described and so permits the feeding of Water to the generator, as and for the purpose already stated.

The pipe F, protruding up above the waterlevel of the gas-holderA and extending thence down and out through the bottom ofv the` hold er, passes across horizontally to the holder G and up through the bottom thereof, emer` ging above the water-level therein, and delivering gas from the holder A into the holder G. The pipe H, protruding up above the Water-level of the holder G and extending out through the bot-tom of said holder, conducts the gas to therservice system. The dome G' of the holder G is weighted to a lessamount than the dome of the holder A, but from the under side of the center of said dome G a chain K extends to aweight K', which ordinarily lies on the bottom of the holder G, be-

ing attached at the center of a pocket K10 at the upper side of said weight. The chain is of such length as to permit the dome G/ to rise without lifting the weight K' to within a few inches of its upper limitof' movement, and when it has thus taken up all the slack of the chain the pressure thus exerted upon the gas contents of the holder G, being the weight of the weighted dome and of the chain less the weight of the water displaced by the chain, is slightly less per square inch of gassurface in the holder G than that exerted upon the gas in the holder A by its dome A. From this it results that as the gas passes from the generator first into the holderA and thence into the holder G, both having their domes depressed at the commencement of the entrance of the gas, the dome of the holder G will be lifted first, because it requires less pressure to lift it than to lift the dome A on account of so much of the chain as lies slack in the pocket K10, and said holder G will therefore fill to the extent necessary to take up all the slack of the chain and pull on the weight K enough to produce a pressure barely exceeding that on the holder A before the holder A will commence to fill, and as the latter fills and gas is withdrawn for consumption it will pass through the holder G without permitting the dome of the latter to fall, thus maintaining a constant reservoir or reserve supply of gas in said holder G, the dome of the holder A rising and falling and periodically causing water to pass over into the generator, as described. Vhen, however, the gas-generating substance in the generator becomes exhausted to such point that the gas generated uponr the discharge of water being poured into the generator is insufficient in quantity to supply the consumption, the dome of the holder A will not be lifted, but the dome Gof the holder G will commence to fall, supplying the deficiency of gas to the service-pipes. From the dome G a suitable trip-rod L extends upward and has a trip-dog L' or other alarmsounding means which encounter an alarm M after the dome G has descended a very short distance, say two or three inches, thereby sounding the alarm and giving notice of the failure of the generator and affording time for replenishing the latter while the gassupply is maintained in the service-pipes from the contents of the holder G. As the dome G descends and deposits the slack chain the pressure which it exerts upon the gas diminishes, and the dome A' is thereby permitted to descend, as above described,while`the fioat is still submerged, intruding the displacer E deeply into the Water and flooding the generator.

The expansion of the holdersA and VG is vlimited by suitable check to prevent the liftcorresponding exterior collar at the upperend, said collar and bushing stopping against each other at the proper point and limiting the expansion of the holder. In the holder A the pipe D has the collard and extends into the pipe A3, which has the bushing cts, and in the holder G the pipe F has the collar f and extends into the pipe G3, which has a bushing g3, operating as described. Whenever from any cause the amount of gas generated exceeds the ordinary capacity of the holder A expanded to the ordinary point--that is, any point short of the absolute limit determined by t-he check device described, added to that of the holder G when expanded to the point at which all the slack of the chain is taken up--the further generation of gas carries the dome G to the limit determined by the check .device and then causes the dome G to lift the weight K as said dome rises beyond the ordinary point. The rod L has a second trip-dog L2, which is adapted to encounter the alarm M and cause it to sound as the dome rises beyond the point at which it commences to lift the weight K, so that an alarm will therebybe given indicating that the generation' of gas is more rapid than the consumption to an extent that is liable to exceed the capacity of the receivers, and before the limit of the expansion of the receiver G is reached there will be time to draw off the water from theV and discharging into the generator; a displacer which is depressed in the .water of the gas-holder by the moving member of the latter as it descends; whereby the descent of said moving member causes the water-level in the holderto be raised and Water topass over into the generator.

2. In combination,an expansible gas-holder and a gasfgenerator associated therewith, a gas-d uct connecting the upper portions ofthe IOO IIO

gas holder and generator, and a water-duct leading from the'water-space of the gas-holder into the generator and having its highest point above the low-water level of the gas-holder; a=displacer adapted to be depressed in the water by the descent of the moving member of the gas-holder, and thereby to raise the water-level and cause water to pass over into the generator.

3. In combination,anexpansiblegas-holder, a gas-generator associated therewith; a gasduct connecting the upper portions of the generator and holder; a water-duct leading from the water-space of the gas-holder intothe generator and adapted to ldischarge into the latter., its highest `point being above the low-water 'level of the gas-holder; a displacer inthe gas-holder adapted to bedepresse'd in the water by the descent of the moving mem.- ber of the holder; a valve which controls -access of water intosaid water-duct, and means by which the descending member ofthe gasholder opens said valve and holds the same open while the water-level is raised by the intrusion of the displacer therein as described.

4. In combination,an expansible gas-holder and va gasgenerator connected therewith, a gas-duct connecting the upper portions of said holder and generator; a water-duct leading from the lwater-space of the holder and discharging into the generator and having its highest point immediately above the low-water level of the gas-holder; a valve which controls access of the water from the gas-holder into said water-duct; a iioat connected to said valve and adapted to hold the same closed; a water-displacer in the gas-holder, and means by which the moving member of the latter simultaneously depresses said displacer in the water and. opens said valve.

5. In combination, a gas-holder and a generator associated therewith; gas and water ducts communicating between the holder and the generator, the highest point in the waterduct being immediately above the low-water level of the holder; a displacer in the holder which is depressed in the waterby the descent of the moving member; a stand-pipe communicating with the holder and a check-valve suitably interposed to prevent the iiow of water out of the holder toward the stand-pipe; means for supplying water to the stand-pipe,

. said stand-pipe having an overiioW-outlet at a point above the low-water level of the holder a distance corresponding to the gas-pressure to be maintained therein; whereby the water supplied to the stand-pipe maintains the water in the holder up to the low-water level, and cannot raise it above such level and the displacer by intrusion does raise the water above said level.

G. In combination with a gas-generator, a gas-holder into which the gas is caused to pass from the generator; a second gas-holder into which it passes from the first, the second gasholder having its moving member normally weighted to less pressure than the first gasholder, anda supplemental resistance to ex pansion arranged to be encountered by the moving member of Vthe second holder as it rises, whereby when the holder has expanded to -a predetermined limit, it becomes're-- strained to a pressure greater than the yiirst holder.

7. In combination with a gas-generator, a

gas-holder which receives the gas generated;

a second gas-holder int-o which thegas passes from the irst holder, said second holder hav. ing its moving member normally restrained greater than that to which the iirst holder is adjusted.

8. In combination with a gas-generator and a gas-holder which receives gas 'from the generator'; a second gas-holder which receives the gas from the first holder, the second holder being normally weighted to less pressure than the Iirst, and provided with a supplemental weight adapted to be picked `up as the holder expands, the connection of such supplemental weight being of the nature vof 'a chain adapted to be deposited at its lower'end when slackened, whereby the pressure of such holder gradually increases as it expands.

9. In combination with a gas-generator, a gasholder into which the gas is caused to pass from the generator; a second gas-holder into which it passes from the first, the second holder having its moving member normally weighted to less pressure than the first holder, said weight comprising a chain whose lower end lodges -on a fixed support, whereby the chain is deposited and the weight on the holder diminished as the moving member thereof descends, whereby, as the gas is exhausted, the diminishing pressure in the second holder causes the moving member of the rst holder to descend to its limit; water connections between the rst holder and the generator, and devices in the said first holder whereby the descent to its limit forces water therefrom into the generator to flood the latter.

l0. In combination with the gas-generator, a gas-holder into which the gas is caused to pass from the generator; a second gas-holder into which it passes from the first, the second gas-holder having its moving member normally weighted to less pressure than the first holder; a supplemental weight adapted to be encountered or picked up by the moving member of the second holder as it rises, whereby, when said holder has expanded to a predeter mined limit, it becomes weighted to a pressure greater than the first holder, wherebyit serves as a reserve reservoir for gas; an alarm outside the second holder and connections from the moving member thereof adapted to actuate said alarm as it descends from said predetermined limit.

l1. In combination with a gas-generator, a

holder; a supplemental weight adapted to be encountered or picked up by the moving member of the second holder as it rises, whereby `when said holder has expanded to a predeterf mined limit it becomes Weighted to a i sure greater-than the first holder, said holder presbeing adapted to expand beyond said limit by lifting said weight; an alarm outside said 15` member of the latter sounds said alarm as it holder,'and connections by'whieh the moving moves upward carrying said supplemental weight.

l2. In combination, an expansible gasholder and a gas-generator associated therewith; a gas-duct connecting the upper p0rtionsV of said holder and generator, and a Water-duct leading from the water-space of the y' gas-holder and discharging into the generator; suitable means for maintaining the water in the gas-holder up to a predetermined low-water limit, the highest pointwin the Water-ductleading to the generator being immediately above said low-Water limit; a tapering displacer which is depressed point foremost in the water in the gas-holder by the descent oli' the moving member of the latter, whereby Water is slowly and gradually displaced by the entering point of said displacer and caused to pass into the generator, and a larger quantity of water is displaced onlyby the further descent of said moving member when the discharge of the small quantity fails to cause generation of gas s-ufiicient for consumption.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two Witnesses, at Chicago, Illinois, this 2d day of October, 1896.

DELBERT tLREYNOLDS.

Witnesses:

CHAs. S. BURTON, J EAN ELLIOTT. 

